What is the role of a witness during wedding?

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Witnesses are supposed to attest to the fact that a wedding ceremony between two individuals took place. They would be approached in the case of an investigation of a marriage's validity, certainly to attest to whether the canonical form of the marriage was met. If canonical form was not met, a marriage can be deemed invalid and annulled without any additional work.

Since witnesses are also usually close friends or relatives of the betrothed (though they do not have to be), they can attest to any coercion that may have been present at the time of the marriage, which could also factor into a decision to annul the marriage.

Lastly, because marriages are a public affair, witnesses are an essential component to the marriage. The two witnesses are supposed to represent the community observing the public fact that this union between a man and a woman now exists because of the vows they made in front of the community. The presiding clergyman is also needed, as he acts as a witness on behalf of the Church.

Witnesses do not have any particular duties beyond observing the ceremony and attesting to the fact that wedding vows were made. However, if a witness knew that someone was trying to enter a "second marriage" while still married to their spouse, they probably should come forward and remind the community that this individual is already married, attest to that fact as a witness of the vows, and remind the community that a subsequent marriage while one's spouse is alive is impossible (assuming the marriage was between two baptized Christians).

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